Method and arrangement for measuring the quantity of moisture in smoking goods

ABSTRACT

Tobacco moving along a conveyor belt is compressed with a force several times the force of the dead weight of the tobacco. The compressed tobacco has an electric field applied through a first and second electrode positioned on the same side thereof. The electrodes constitute a capacitor which is part of a tuned circuit and under resonance conditions the signal derived from the tuned circuit has a magnitude corresponding to the percentage of moisture in the tobacco.

United States Patent Wochnowski 1 Dec. 4, 1973 [5 METHOD AND ARRANGEMENTFOR 3,046,479 7/1962 Mead et a1. 324/61 R MEASURING THE QUANTITY OF3,320,528 5/1967 Esenwein 324/61 R 3,482,162 12/1969 Wochnowski 324 61 RMOISTURE IN SMOKING GOODS 3,496,255 2 1970 Erxleben et al 131/136 xInventor: Waldemar Wochnowski, Hamburg,

Germany Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 16, 1971 Germany P 21 46386.5

US. Cl. 324/61 QS, 131/135 Int. Cl G0lr 27/26 Field of Search 324/61 08,61 R;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1950 McBrayer et a1. 324/61 08Primary ExaminerStanley T. Krawczewicz Atz0rneyMichae1 S. Striker [57]ABSTRACT Tobacco moving along a conveyor belt is compressed with a forceseveral times the force of the dead weight of the tobacco. Thecompressed tobacco has an electric field applied through a first andsecond electrode positioned on the same side thereof. The electrodesconstitute a capacitor which is part of a tuned circuit and underresonance conditions the signal derived from the tuned circuit has amagnitude corresponding to the percentage of moisture in the tobacco.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3.777.258

sum 1 of 6 'PATENTEUBEB W5 3.777.258

SHEET I; (If 6 METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR MEASURING THE QUANTITY OFMOISTURE IN SMOKING GOODS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This inventionrelates to a method and arrangement for determining the moisture contentintobaccoor similar smoking goods. In particular it relates to sucharrangements wherein the lines of force of a highfrequency electricalfield are applied to the smoking goods by means of a tuned circuit whosefrequency is controlled. In these arrangements, when the tuned circuitis at resonance, with the high-frequency oscillator supplying energythereto, a signal is generated in a measuring circuit whose amplitudevaries as-a function of the moisture content of the smoking goods.

The above method and arrangement for determining moisture content intobacco is described, for example, in one embodiment in German Pat. No.935,380. In practice, it has the disadvantage that the amplitude of themeasuring signal depends not'only on the moisture content but also onthe mass of the tobacco being measured. An arrangement is known foreliminating for this dependence on tobacco mass. This known arrangementcomprises a chute which has a particular measuring channel which extendsin direction of transport of the tobacco. This measuring channelisV-sh'aped and is so arranged within the chute that approximately thesame quantity of tobacco is always found therein. Of course it must beassumed that the amount of tobacco furnished to the chute is at least asgreat as the capacity of the measuring channel. For quantities oftobacco exceeding the capacity of the measuring channel, the excesstobacco is spilled into the parts of the chute which lie underneath themeasuring channel. In the sides of the V-shaped measuring channelelectrodes are arranged which together comprise a measuring capacitorfor the tuned circuit. The electrodes are so arranged that the set ofelectrodes guiding the lines of electric force into the tobacco arearranged in one leg of the V, while the electrodes guiding thelines offorce from the tobacco are arranged in-the other leg of the V. Thus theelectric lines of forces penetrate through the tobacco.

While the above-described arrangement has been found to operate verysuccessfully in practice, it has the disadvantage that thecharacteristic curves of moisture content plotted against the value ofthe electrical measurement signal are not linear. A further problem isthat tobacco in particular states, for instance whole tobacco leaves,cannot be successfully subjected to a moisture measurement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention tofurnish an arrangement wherein the moisture content of tobacco in anydesired state may be successfully measured.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system andmethod whereby the characteristic of moisture content versus measurementsignal are substantially linear.

In the method and arrangement of the present invention tobacco istransported past a measuring station. At said measuring station, thetobacco is pressed with a force substantially exceeding the weightthereof. A high-frequency oscillator means supplies a highfrequencyelectrical signal to tuned circuit means, the tuned circuit means havinga first and second electrode arranged on the same side of the tobaccofor transmitting lines of electrical force into and out of said tobacco.The frequency of the tuned circuit is controlled in such a manner thatit is in resonance with the highfrequency oscillator means supplyingenergy thereto. The measurement circuit measures a signal in the tunedcircuit whose amplitude varies as a function of the smoking goods.

In the above-described arrangement the smoking goods (tobacco) can be inthe form of shredded tobacco, as is required for cigarette production.However, it can also be in the form of small tobacco pieces as isrequired for the manufacture of cigars. Finally, it is even possible tomeasure reconstituted tobacco sheets to determine the moisture contentthereof. Of course, if the tobacco is available in relatively thin broadsheets in whichit is manufactured, and not in the form of coarselycomminuted tobacco leaves or finely comminuted tobacco leaves, asmentioned'above, then the pressing of the tobacco is not required. Thepressing process has the main purpose of eliminating variations in theoutput signal resulting from mass variations in the tobacco. The methodand arrangement of the present invention is of course also usable formeasuring the moisture content in tobacco substitutes which have aphysical consistency similar to that of tobacco. It is therefore ingeneral'applicable to smokinggoods of any type. a

If the smoking goods have relatively small zones whose moisture variesgreatly from the moisture content of the remaining portions of thetobacco, the influence of such relatively small zones onto the measuringsignal can be decreased by a particularly preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the first and second electrodeseach comprise a plurality of electrode elements. The lines of forceenter the tobacco through the electrode elements comprising the firstelectrode means and the lines of force leave the tobacco through theelectrode elements comprised in the second electrode means. This type ofelectrode arrangement is particularly advantageous when the tobacco, asis customary in modern production plants, is to have its moisturecontent measured while being transported along a predetermined path.The. relatively short but large variationsin the instantaneous value ofthe moisture content are suppressed by this electrode arrangement.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resonantfrequency of the tuned circuit is changed periodically over apredetermined frequency range. This frequency range includes thefrequency at which the circuit is in resonance with the signal appliedthereto. The amplitude of the signal derived from the tuned circuit atresonance varies as a function of the moisture content of the tobacco.The electrical signal derived from the tuned circuit is preferably avoltage. Of course the amplitude of the current in the tuned circuit mayalso be used as a measurement signal.

It should further vbe noted that of course filter material may also besubjected to the moisture measurement in accordance with the presentinvention and is to be included in the term smoking goods.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the plurality ofelectrode elements constituting the first and second electrode means arearranged in a plane. In the arrangement, each first electrode element isfollowed by a second electrode element in space.

ing and pressing of the tobacco is preferably undertaken duringuninterrupted transport of said tobacco.

The moisture content measuring method and arrangement of the presentinvention can be carried out without interrupting this transport oftobacco. Thus the support means may comprise the tobacco-transport meanswhich may be an endless conveyor belt. The pressing of the tobacco mayalso be accomplished while the tobacco is being transported. This isaccomplished by use of a press conveyor. In order that the pressconveyor may be readily adaptable to various quantities of tobacco beingtransported past it, it is movably mounted in the direction away fromand towards the conveyor belt carrying the tobacco.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tuned circuit hasmeans for periodically varying the resonant frequency thereof, in such amanner that the tuned circuit is in resonance at least once during eachfrequency change. A voltage in the tuned circuit is then applied to ameasuring means which furnishes a signal whose output varies as afunction of moisture content of the smoking goods when the tuned circuitis in resonance.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbest be understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows an arrangement formeasuring the moisture content of smoking goods in a side view;

FIG. 2 shows a top bottom view of the electrodes of the arrangement ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of some of the electrodes of FIG. 2,including the lines of force of a highfrequency electrical fieldexisting between said electrodes;

FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the measuring arrangement associatedwith the electrodes of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the dependence of the measured moisturecontent on the pressure of the tobacco;

FIG. 6 shows a tobacco drying station including a measuring arrangementaccording to the present inventron;

FIG. 7 is a variation of the arrangement of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of thepresent invention will now be described with reference to the drawing.

The arrangement for furnishing a measurement signal which is the subjectof the present invention is shown in FIG. I as comprising support means,1, which include an endless conveyor belt 2 for transporting the tobacco3. It further comprises press conveyor means 4 located above the tobacco3 and constituting pressing means for said tobacco. Further shown aresupply means which supply the tobacco to the arrangement, referencenumeral 6, and means for transporting the tobacco away from themeasuring station, 7. The com veyor belt 2 forms one surface of thetobacco 3 and is looped around rollers 8 and 9, roller 8 being driven inthe direction of arrow 11. The upper surface of conveyor belt 2 ispassed over an isolating plate 12 which has good high-frequencycharacteristics and to whose lower surface electrodes 13 and 14 (fordetails FIG. 2) are mounted. The isolating plate 12 also serves as aplate against which the tobacco is being pressed by a press conveyor 4.Press conveyor 4 in turn has rollers 16 and 17 which are mounted on acarrier 18 around which a conveyor belt 19 is mounted. The lower side ofconveyor belt 19 passes over a reinforcing plate 21 which is fastened tocarrier means 18. Press conveyor 4 has linkages 22 and 23 which mount itpivotably in the direction of double arrow 24. The weight of the pressconveyor 4 is used for compressing the tobacco which is between thepress conveyor and the transport conveyor belt 2. Roller 16 is driven inthe direction of arrow 26. A lever 15 is mounted on the same bearing asroller 17. This lever 15 carries a thermal resistor 20 for furnishing asignal corresponding to the temperature of tobacco 3. This thermalresistor rests on the upper surface of tobacco 3.

FIG. 2 shows a view of isolating plate 12 with electrodes 13 and 14,taken in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1.

Electrodes 13 and 14 together constitute a measuring capacitor 27. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the first electrode means 13 and thesecond electrode means 14 each comprise a plurality of electrodeelements, 13a and 14a, respectively. Each electrode 13a is arrangedbetween two consecutive ones of the second electrode element 14a. Eachelectrode 13a is connected to another electrode 13a, while eachelectrode 14a is connected to another electrode 14a. Lines 28 and 29serve to connect the so-constituted measuring capacitor 27 to thecircuit arrangement shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 shows the lines of force 31 created by a highfrequency electricalfield between the electrode elements 13a and 14a.

The circuit shown in FIG. 2 shows high-frequency oscillator means, herea high-frequency oscillator 32, tuned circuit means 33, measurementcircuit means 34, which here comprise an electronic voltage meter, and atemperature-compensating arrangement 36.

The measuring capacitor 27 is shown here only symbolically and is partof the high-frequency tuned circuit 33, as are further capacitors 37,38, 39 and 41, a coil 42, as well as a tuning capacitor 43 which isdriven at a constant speed by means of a motor 44. The highfrequencycircuit 33 is connected via coils 46 and 47 and via a capacitor 48 withthe high-frequency oscillator 32. The latter comprises in the main apentode 58, a coil 49 and capacitors 51 and 52. Capacitors 53 and 54connect a high-frequency rectifier 56 to the highfrequency oscillator.Rectifier 56 rectifies the highfrequency current and applies the samevia resistor 57 to the control gate of a pentode 58. The voltage at theanode of pentode 58 is supplied via a resistance 59 to the screen gridof pentode 48. Capacitors 61, 62 and 63 are filter capacitors. Resistors64, 66, 67 and 68 serve as voltage dividers, while resistor '69 is aload resistance. l

The electronic voltmeter used as measurement means in the presentinvention comprises a second high-frequency rectifier 71, resistances 72and 73, a capacitor 74 and a pentode 76. An indicator instrument 77 isconnected into the anode circuitof pentode 76. The sensitivity of themoisture content measurement can be adjusted via a potentiometer 78.Capacitor 79 is a filter capacitor. In the temperature-compensatingmeans 36, the resistor 81, the potentiometer82 and resistors 83 and 84are voltage dividers. The thermal resistor forms a Wheatstone bridgearrangement together with resistors 85, 86, 87 and 88. A resistor 89 isarranged in the diagonal of the Wheatstone bridge. Changes involtageacross resistor 89.are applied to the suppressor grid of pentode76 in electronic voltmeter 34 via potentiomter 91, 82 and 92 as well .asresistors 83 and 93. Resistance 94 is thegrid-bias-resistor for thescreen grid of pentode 76.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of measured characteristic curves whichdemonstrate the dependency of measured moisture content on the pressureexerted on the tobacco whose moisture content is being measured. Theabscissa of the diagram is in units of kp/m while the measurement signalin milliamps is entered on the ordinate. The characteristic curve A wasderived from shredded tobacco having a moisture content of 15.2 percentwhile characteristic curve B was derived from strips having a moisturecontent of 16.8 percent.

For both types of tobacco an increase of the measured value withincreasing pressure is noted. Thus, it is seen that it is necessary formoisture content measurement to maintain the pressure constant.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-4 operate as follows:

Tobacco is supplied in a continuous stream to conveyor belt 2 by thesupply means 6, the level of tobacco 3 on conveyor belt 2 alwaysexceeding the level of the force lines 31 of measuring capacitor 27.Depending upon the height of the layer of tobacco 3 on conveyor 2, thepress conveyor 4 is lifted more or less, thus exerting a constantpressure due to its dead weight onto tobacco 3. Since the conveyor means4 weigh many times the weight of the tobacco situated underneath thesame, the change in weight of the tobacco between the press conveyor 4and the conveyor belt 2 is negligible in so far as the measuring of themoisture content is concerned. The stream of tobacco 3 is thus pushedpast the electrodes 13 and 14 of measuring capacitor 27 between thetransport conveyor belt 2 and the press conveyor 19.

The operation of the circuitry of FIG. 4 is the followmg:

Reference to FIG. 4 shows that the inherent resonant frequency of thehigh-frequency tuned circuit 33 depends on the main upon choke coil 42,capacitor 38 and measuring capacitor 27. This inherent resonantfrequency is periodically varied by means of tuning capacitor 43 whichis driven at a constant speed by motor 44. The frequency ofhigh-frequency oscillator 32 is so chosen that it lies in approximatelythe middle of the range of the inherent resonant frequency of tunedcircuit 33. It should also be noted that high-frequency oscillator 32 isamplitude-stabilized by means of the feedback resulting from the use ofrectifier 71. The variation of the inherent resonant frequency of thetuned a high-frequency voltage exists at the electrodes 13 and 14 ofmeasuring capacitor 27 and a high-frequency alternating electrical fieldexists between the electrode elements 13a and 14a. The electronicvoltmeter measures voltage peaks which appear when the tuned circuit 33comes into resonance with the high-frequency oscillator 32. Such voltagepeaks are indicated on indicating means 77. The amplitude of thesevoltage peaks depends on the dielectric losses within the capacitor 27,which in turn depend on the moisture content of the tobacco beingtransported over electrodes 13 and 14.

Since the indication on the indication means 77 also depends on thetemperature at the interior of capacitor 27, that is on the temperatureof tobacco 3, the temperature-dependent resistor 20 is supplied. Thistemperature-dependent resistor 20 is allowed to slip on the surface oftobacco 3 by being held by a lever 15. It is connected to the Wheatstonebridge and serves to create a voltage on resistor 89 which varies withvariations in temperature. This voltage variation controls the bias onpentode 17 of electronic voltmeter 34, thereby compensating formeasurement errors resulting from temperature variations of tobacco 3.

The measurement signal on indicator means 77 is used in thetobacco-processing industry for controlling tobacco processing such ashumidifying the tobacco, drying it, or flavoring the tobacco, amongother uses.

FIG. 6 shows an overall arrangement for drying tobacco which makes useof the moisture content measuring signal generated by the presentinvention. Sheet tobacco is supplied to the measuring arrangement of thepresent invention from a drying station 195. No press conveyor isutilized since the tobacco is in sheets. The dried tobacco thus passesthrough the measuring station. The means which transported the tobaccoaway from the measuring station (7, FIG. 1) has been replaced by askimmer 196 which lifts the sheet tobacco 197 from the conveyor belt 102and an associated rotating knife 198 which cuts the sheet tobacco intoindividual pieces which are then collected in a container 199. All otherelements shown in FIG. 9 are the same as those in FIG. 1 and have thesame reference numerals, but increased by 100. These will not beexplained anew.

The measurement signal which is generated in the same fashion asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 can be used for controllingthe drying process in drier in such a manner as to keep the moisturecontent of sheet tobacco 197 constant.

FIG. 7 shows a variation of the arrangement of FIG. 1. In FIG. 7 thoseelements which corresponds to the same elements in FIG. I have the samereference numerals, but increased by 200. The operation of theseelements will not be explained'again.

The main difference between FIGS. 1 and 7 is that in FIG. 7 the pressingmeans comprises a rotatable drum 225 which is mounted on a link 22, aswell as an isolating plate 212 which is arranged following the drum inthe direction of transport of the tobacco and carries the electrode 213and 214. The isolating plate 212 is mounted on the carrier means 218. Inorder to absorb the pressure exerted by drum 225, the conveyor belt 202passes over a reinforcing plate 210.

The operation of the arrangement of FIG. 7 corresponds in the main tothat of FIG. 1, the only change being in the pressing means 204 asmentioned above. In FIG. 7 the tobacco 203 is compressed by drum 225,and then is transported under the isolating plate 212 where it ismaintained in the compressed condition and passes by the electrodes 213and 214.

The advantage of the present invention resides in the particulararrangement of the electrodes of the measuring capacitor, since thisarrangement results in a linear moisture content versus electricalmeasurement value within the range of interest to the tobacco industry.This results in a more exact measurement of the moisture content whichof course is particularly desirable for the regulation of tobaccoprocesses. The pressing of the tobacco in the measurement stationresults in a lack of dependence of the moisture content measuring signalon the mass of tobacco and further allows different types of tobacco tobe subjected to a moisture content measurement.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the present invention and, therefore, such featuresand modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims:

1. Method for generating a measurement signal indicative of the moisturecontent of a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at a measuringstation, said smoking goods having a measuring surface, comprising, incombination, the steps of creating a high-frequency electrical field atsaid measuring station, said highfrequency electrical field having linesof force entering and leaving said smoking goods through said measuringsurface; pressing said predetermined quantity of tobacco with a forcesubstantially exceeding the weight thereof; and monitoring saidhigh-frequency electrical field to derive therefrom an electrical signalhaving a characteristic varying as a function of said moisture content,said electrical signal constituting said measurement signal.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1; further comprising the step oftransporting said smoking goods in a continuous stream past saidmeasuring station.

3. Arrangement for furnishing a measurement signal indicative of thequantity of moisture in a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at ameasurement station, comprising in combination, support means supportingsaid smoking goods at said measuring station, said support meanscreating a first surface in said smoking goods, said smoking goodsfurther having a second surface opposite said first surface;high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electricalsignal; tuned circuit means connected to said highfrequency oscillatormeans for creating a highfrequency electrical field having lines offorce in response to said high-frequency electrical signal, said tunedcircuit means comprising first and second electrode means for directingsaid lines of force into and out of said smoking goodsthrough a selectedone of said first and second surfaces; pressing means for pressing saidsmoking goods against said support means with a predetermined force;frequency control means connected to said tuned circuit means forcontrolling the resonant frequency of said tuned circuit means in such amanner that said tuned circuit means is in resonance with saidhigh-frequency electrical signal; and measure' ment circuit meansconnected to said tuned circuit means for furnishing an electricalsignal during said resonance, said electrical signal having acharacteristic varying as a function of said moisture content of saidsmoking goods.

4. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first electrodemeans comprise a plurality of interconnected first electrode elementsfor guiding said lines of force into said smoking goods, and whereinsaid second electrode means comprise second electrode means for guidingsaid lines of flux out of said smoking goods.

5. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said plurality offirst electrode elements is arranged in one plane with said secondelectrode means.

6. An arrangement as set forth in claim 5, wherein said second electrodemeans comprise a plurality of interconnected second electrode elements.

7. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said plurality offirst electrode elements is arranged in a sequence in a given plane; andwherein each of said second electrode elements is arranged adjacent to acorresponding one of said first elements in said plane.

8. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said support meanscomprise endless belt conveyor means.

9. An arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said support meansfurther comprise isolating plate means supporting said endless beltconveyor means.

10. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said pressing meanscomprise carrier means; roller means mounted on said carrier means;reinforcing plate means connected to said carrier means; conveyor beltmeans passing over said roller means and said reinforcing plate means.

11. An arrangement as defined in claim 10; further comprising transportmeans transporting said smoking goods past said measuring station; andwherein said pressing means comprises drum means pressing said smokinggoods; and spaced plate means following said drum means in the directionof transport of said smoking goods, for maintaining said smoking goodsin said pressed condition.

12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein saidfrequency-varying means comprises frequencyvarying means forperiodically varying the resonant frequency of said tuned circuit meansover a predetermined frequency range.

13. An arrangement as defined in claim 12, wherein said predeterminedfrequency range includes the frequency of said high-frequency electricalsignal furnished by said high-frequency oscillator means.

14. Arrangement for furnishing a measurement signal indicative of thequantity of moisture in a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at ameasurement station, comprising in combination, support means supportingsaid smoking goods at said measuring station," said support meanscreating a first surface in said smoking goods, said smoking goodsfurther having a second surface opposite said first surface;high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electricalsignal; tuned circuit means connected to said highfrequency oscillatormeans for creating a highfrequency electrical field having lines offorce in response to said high-frequency electrical signal, said tunedcircuit means comprising first and second electrode means for directingsaid lines of force into and out of said smoking goods through aselected one of said first and second surfaces; frequency control meansconnected to said tuned circuit means for controlling the resonantfrequency of said tuned circuit means in such a manner that said tunedcircuit means is in resonance with said high-frequency electricalsignal; and measurement circuit means connected to said tuned aWheatstone bridge circuit.

1. Method for generating a measurement signal indicative of the moisturecontent of a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at a measuringstation, said smoking goods having a measuring surface, comprising, incombination, the steps of creating a high-frequency electrical field atsaid measuring station, said high-frequency electrical field havinglines of force entering and leaving said smoking goods through saidmeasuring surface; pressing said predetermined quantity of tobacco witha force substantially exceeding the weight thereof; and monitoring saidhigh-frequency electrical field to derive therefrom an electrical signalhaving a characteristic varying as a function of said moisture content,said electrical signal constituting said measurement signal.
 2. A methodas set forth in claim 1; further comprising the step of transportingsaid smoking goods in a continuous stream past said measuring station.3. Arrangement for furnishing a measurement signal indicative of thequantity of moisture in a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at ameasurement station, comprising in combination, support means supportingsaid smoking goods at said measuring station, said support meanscreating a first surface in said smoking goods, said smoking goodsfurther having a second surface opposite said first surface;high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electricalsignal; tuned circuit means connected to said high-frequency oscillatormeans for creating a high-frequency electrical field having lines offorce in response to said high-frequency electrical signal, said tunedcircuit means comprising first and second electrode means for directingsaid lines of force into and out of said smoking goods through aselected one of said first and second surfaces; pressing means forpressing said smoking goods against said support means with apredetermined force; frequency control means connected to said tunedcircuit means for controlling the resonant frequency of said tunedcircuit means in such a manner that said tuned circuit means is inresonance with said high-frequency electrical signal; and measurementcircuit means connected to said tuned circuit means for furnishing anelectrical signal during said resonance, said electrical signal having acharacteristic varying as a function of said moisture content of saidsmoking goods.
 4. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein saidfirst electrode means comprise a plurality of interconnected firstelectrode elements for guiding said lines of force into said smokinggoods, and wherein said second electrode means comprise second electrodemeans for guiding said lines of flux out of said smoking goods.
 5. Anarrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said plurality of firstelectrode elements is arranged in one plane with said second electrodemeans.
 6. An arrangement as set forth in claim 5, wherein said secondelectrode means comprise a plurality of interconnected second electrodeelements.
 7. An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein saidplurality of first electrode elements is arranged in a sequence in agiven plane; and wherein each of said second electrode elements isarranged adjacent to a corresponding one of said first elements in saidplane.
 8. An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said supportmeans comprise endless belt conveyor means.
 9. An arrangement as definedin claim 8, wherein said support means further comprise isolating platemeans supporting said endless belt conveyor means.
 10. An arrangement asset forth in claim 3, wherein said pressing means comprise carriermeans; roller means mounted on said carrier means; reinforcing platemeans connected to said carrier means; conveyor belt means passing oversaid roller means and said reinforcing plate means.
 11. An arrangementas defined in claim 10; further comprising transport means transportingsaid smoking goods past said measuring station; and wherein saidpressing means comprises drum means pressing said smoking goods; andspaced plate means following said drum means in the direction oftransport of said smoking goods, for maintaining said smoking goods insaid pressed condition.
 12. An arrangement as set forth in claim 4,wherein said frequency-varying means comprises frequency-varying meansfor periodically varying the resonant frequency of said tuned circuitmeans over a predetermined frequency range.
 13. An arrangement asdefined in claim 12, wherein said predetermined frequency range includesthe frequency of said high-frequency electrical signal furnished by saidhigh-frequency oscillator means.
 14. Arrangement for furnishing ameasurement signal indicative of the quantity of moisture in apredetermined quantity of smoking goods at a measurement station,comprising in combination, support means supporting said smoking goodsat said measuring station, said support meanS creating a first surfacein said smoking goods, said smoking goods further having a secondsurface opposite said first surface; high-frequency oscillator means forcreating a high-frequency electrical signal; tuned circuit meansconnected to said high-frequency oscillator means for creating ahigh-frequency electrical field having lines of force in response tosaid high-frequency electrical signal, said tuned circuit meanscomprising first and second electrode means for directing said lines offorce into and out of said smoking goods through a selected one of saidfirst and second surfaces; frequency control means connected to saidtuned circuit means for controlling the resonant frequency of said tunedcircuit means in such a manner that said tuned circuit means is inresonance with said high-frequency electrical signal; and measurementcircuit means connected to said tuned circuit means for furnishing anelectrical signal during said resonance, said electrical signal having acharacteristic varying as a function of said moisture content of saidsmoking goods.
 15. An arrangement as set forth in claim 14, furthercomprising temperature-compensating circuit means connected to saidmeasurement circuit means.
 16. An arrangement as set forth in claim 15,wherein said temperature-compensating circuit means comprise aWheatstone bridge circuit.